Navigation

Betapace vs. Tikosyn

 

Are Betapace and Tykosin the Same Thing?

Betapace (sotalol) and Tikosyn (dofetilide) are used to treat different types of heart rhythm disorders.

Betapace is used for treating ventricular arrhythmias.

Tikosyn is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chambers of the heart). Tikosyn is used in people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Betapace and Tikosyn belong to different drug classes. Betapace is a beta-blocker and Tikosyn is an antiarrhythmic drug.

Side effects of Betapace and Tikosyn that are similar include headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset or pain, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Betapace that are different from Tikosyn include indigestion, fatigue, weakness, tiredness, slow heart rate, chest pain, palpitations, vomiting, pain in your arms or legs, and decreased sexual ability.

Side effects of Tikosyn that are different from Betapace include back pain, skin rash, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.

Both Betapace and Tikosyn may interact with antidepressants.

Betapace may also interact with amiodarone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, beta-agonists, digoxin, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, blood pressure medications, other medicines that contain sotalol, and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium.

Tikosyn may also interact with diuretics (water pills), HIV/AIDS medicines, drugs that can affect heart rhythm, narcotics, antibiotics, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, or heart rhythm medicines.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Betapace?

Side effects of Betapace include:

  • headache,
  • indigestion,
  • dizziness,
  • fatigue,
  • weakness,
  • tiredness,
  • slow heart rate,
  • chest pain,
  • palpitations,
  • diarrhea,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • pain in your arms or legs, or
  • decreased sexual ability.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Tykosin?

Common side effects of Tykosin include:

  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • stomach pain,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • back pain,
  • skin rash, or
  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have rare but serious side effects of Tikosyn including:

  • chest pain,
  • fainting,
  • faster or more irregular heartbeat, or
  • severe dizziness.

What Is Betapace?

Betapace (sotalol) is an antiarrhythmic agent used for treating ventricular arrhythmias. Betapace is available in generic form.

What Is Tykosin?

Tikosyn (sotalol) is an antiarrhythmic agent used for treating ventricular arrhythmias.

 

What Drugs Interact With Betapace?

Betapace may interact with amiodarone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, beta-agonists, tricyclic antidepressants, and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium.

What Drugs Interact With Tykosin?

Tikosyn may interact with diuretics (water pills), HIV/AIDS medicine, drugs that can affect heart rhythm, narcotics, antibiotics, antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, or heart rhythm medicine. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

 

How Should Betapace Be Taken?

The recommended dose for adults is 80 to 160 mg twice daily.

How Should Tykosin Be Taken?

The usual recommended dose of Tikosyn is 500 mcg twice daily. When starting, restarting, or increasing the dose, you will need to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days for monitoring.